Did you know that women smile an average of 62 times a day whereas men only smile 8 times a day? Is there a correlation to the number of smiles and dental health? Maybe men are trying to hide the fact that they are not as orally conscious as women. So, what are the differences?
The April Journal of Periodontology states that women are more proactive in maintaining healthy teeth and gums than men. They are more likely to brush and floss often, go to the dentist and return for consistent checkups.
Men are at higher risk for oral cancer, oral HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), and throat cancer. It is important for men to attend the dentist for dental cleanings and checkups so the dentist can identify these issues.
Men tend to only go to the dentist when they have an urgent issue. There can be many indicators of dental health concerns such as bleeding gums, sensitivity and bad breath but men often dismiss these issues.
Smoking can harm your dental health and cause bad breath. Not only does it stain your teeth but it can lead to mouth cancer. Studies show that men smoke more than women.
Men are more prone to sleep apnea than women. Sleep apnea occurs when there are pauses in breathing. Lack of regular breathing causes air to temporarily halt from getting into your lungs. A poor night’s rest is the result and often leads to irritability and health issues.
Women are more conscious of replacing their toothbrush than men. Purchasing a new toothbrush on a regular basis helps keep germs out of your mouth. Re-using an old toothbrush reintroduces bacteria that lead to oral health issues.
Everyone is busy. With work schedules, family and recreation activities, when do you schedule in time to brush your teeth? Men tend to take less time on the essential part of daily oral hygiene. You’ll often find your man brushing his pearly whites while on the run, watching his favourite sport or in the shower. Women devote more dedicated time to performing their dental routines.
In order for teeth to be healthy, they need to be proportionate to your body. Are there differences between the shape of women’s and men’s teeth? Males tend to have larger bone structures than women and as such can have bulkier, squarer teeth than women. Women’s teeth appear longer, slender and more aesthetically pleasing.
So, perhaps these are the reasons men smile far less than women. Maybe what they are hiding behind their lips is the fact that they have poor oral hygiene.
To all the males out there, stop hiding your smile and start letting it shine! Your dentist can help you feel confident so you can start putting those photos back on Facebook and Instagram. The world wants to see your smile.
And…guess what? Confidence is sexy! Empower yourself with a healthy smile.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurshant Grewal - a Registered Dentist on April 24, 2019
